Schakowsky also applauded Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi for calling on Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) to keep Congress in session until the child tax credit is extended.  Congress is scheduled to recess for the July 4th District Work Period on Friday.   

Last month, Republicans removed a provision that would have provided an increase in the child credit to low-income families during final closed-door negotiations on the tax bill recently signed by President Bush.   After it was reported in the press, and following Democratic pressure, the Senate passed H.R. 1308 by a vote of 94 to 2 to increase the child tax credit to working families.  However, House Republicans insisted on passing an $80 billion political ploy designed to sabotage the bipartisan Senate effort to help the children of working and military families this year.

In a letter organized by Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) along with 160 Democrats called on the President to “…convince House and Senate Republican leaders to resolve their differences” so that hardworking families can receive immediate tax relief.

The members continued in the letter: “Your comments last week urging Congress ‘to complete work on this legislation soon, and get it to my desk’ were welcome and encouraging.  This legislation, of course, enjoys wide bipartisan support in Congress.  The Senate version passed by a vote of 94 to 2.  The House Republican leadership pushed a version that we regard as unaffordable.”

The concluded, “We regard it as simply unconscionable to deny this tax credit to these families while providing it to their slightly better off neighbors.”

Below is the text of the letter to President:

June 25, 2003

The Honorable George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

As you know, both the House and Senate will consider momentous legislation this week to extend a prescription drug benefit to America’s seniors.  However, while much attention will be devoted to this very important issue, we must not lose sight of another – the bipartisan effort to accelerate the increase in the child tax credit for 6.5 million low-income, working families, including 12 million children.

We believe that extending the child tax credit to these families – 200,000 of whom are serving our nation in our armed forces – is a fundamental test of fairness and compassion.  You have often stated that our nation should reach out a helping hand to those living on the outskirts of poverty, and there is little doubt that this is where these working American families currently reside.

Your comments last week urging Congress “to complete work on this legislation soon, and get it to my desk” were welcome and encouraging.  This legislation, of course, enjoys wide bipartisan support in Congress.  The Senate version passed by a vote of 94 to 2.  The House Republican leadership pushed a version that we regard as unaffordable.  It must be noted, though, that just one hour after the House bill passed, a bipartisan majority of Members in this body voted for a Democratic Motion to Instruct that directs House conferees to accept the Senate version.

Mr. President, it has been almost 13 days since the House appointed conferees on this legislation, and it is abundantly clear that, absent your personal intervention, this bipartisan effort stands little chance of becoming law before Congress recesses for the Fourth of July or, for that matter, anytime soon.  Permit us to be direct: You alone have the ability to step in and convince House and Senate Republican leaders to resolve their differences on this legislation immediately and to provide these hardworking families with tax relief.  We urge you to act today.

This legislation offers us a real opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of millions of working and military families.  We regard it as simply unconscionable to deny this tax credit to these families while providing it to their slightly better off neighbors.  Please join us in this effort and break this deadlock today.